Farmers, dealers urged to get anhydrous tanks into compliance

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is encouraging farmers and anhydrous ammonia dealers to get their anhydrous nurse tanks ready for next spring.

“With harvest completed in many parts of the state and well ahead of schedule in others, this is a good time make sure anhydrous nurse tanks are properly set up and maintained to prevent accidental releases,” Goehring said.

Goehring said staff from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) will visit businesses and farms on request to help tank owners get their tanks into compliance.

“Most people want to comply with the requirements, although some may not know what the requirements are,” he said. “We are here to help them understand the requirements, not to issue citations.”

Goehring said dealers and farmers can contact NDDA fertilizer specialist Spencer Wagner at (701) 328-1508 or wagner@nd.gov to request a compliance assistance visit. NDDA staff are also available for anhydrous safety training.

“We will have a booth with sign-up sheets at the Northern Ag Expo in Fargo the last week of November,” he said. “We also have checklists that farmers and dealers can use for self-inspections of their tanks.”

Goehring said state law and administrative rules require nurse tanks have properly working valves and hoses; have proper decals, and that the tank's trailer chassis and tires are in good condition.